THE head of an Oswaldtwistle school has urged parents to stop their children playing in a derelict building where drunken men congregate.

Janet Aspinall, of West End Primary School, said several of her pupils have been seen playing in the old Noel's pickle factory at Stanhill.

She said she was worried youngsters "could easily find themselves in situations they don't know how to handle."

In a letter to all parents she wrote: "Please be aware that the building is also being used by older boys and men who have started minor fires, caused some damage and are involved in other activities which neither you nor I would like our children to come across."

Asked to clarify, she said two men were seen entering the factory with alcohol and later seen leaving in a drunken state.

One concerned parent, who wanted to remain anonymous, said: "People could be getting up to all sorts of things in there like drug- taking and having sex. It's a chilling prospect having your son or daughter stumble across that when they've been playing.

"I commend the school for letting the parents know.

"Children do like playing in places like the factory because it's adventurous, but it's essential parents know about things like this."